Scuba diving is not merely a sport, it’s an exploration of a hidden world, an adventure that brings you closer to nature unlike anything else. With each dive, you step into a journey of uncovering secrets, as the wonders of the underwater world present themselves in a silent yet magnificent spectacle, inviting you into an epic larger than any ordinary experience.
My scuba diving journey started in the exotic waters of Thailand’s Koh Lanta island. It was a last minute holiday, decided on the spur of the moment and pretty much by availability of flights and hotels. Little did we know that this small island town near Krabi, is where we will find our life long passion. The Open Water Diver Certification which is a 2 to 3 days course taught us all we needed to get our feet wet for diving. The first dive was nothing short of a revelation – a plunge into another world where vivid corals and rich and abundant marine life left me mesmerized. What was previously confined to the realms of Nat Geo and Discovery documentaries and occasional snorkeling glimpses, had burst into vibrant life all around me. In a single gaze, I was looking at more life forms than I had ever seen in my entire life.
In the same dive, I vividly remember an encounter with an octopus – the master of disguise. Watching it effortlessly alter its shape and color, becoming one with its surroundings displaying nature’s absolute brilliance. This extraordinary experience resonated deeply, reminded me the famous dialogue from “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” where Laila, the diving instructor, foretells a transformation: “Tumhari zindagi badalne wali hain” (Your life is about to change). And indeed, my life was also irrevocably altered from that moment on.
Imagine yourself floating over colorful corals, with countless fishes with various color, shapes and sizes swirling all around you. You look at small nooks and crannies hoping to catch a glimpse of something you haven’t seen before. Maybe you will see an octopus, or perhaps a crab. You see some eels poking their heads out looking at you with their deep gaze. You see a turtle happily chomping away at some corals. And then a graceful manta ray hovers by leaving you completely awestruck.